Ones to watch: the C2C economy

Curated by Megan Collins, Gen Z expert, Cultural Insights Analyst and regular contributor to the MTD blog.

From the ongoing evolution of Instagram to the increasing domination of TikTok, it's never been easier for businesses to connect with customers. And a large part of the success in making these connections are the creators that serve as the bridge between brands and their audiences.

By identifying trends, creating products and services, and leveraging influence to drive sales, creators have become a critical asset to today’s C2C [consumer to consumer; or creator to creator] economy - a vast network made up of content creators, curators and community builders [including influencers, bloggers, and videographers]. According to AdWeek, as of 2022, upward of 50 million people contributed to the global creator economy, which is estimated to be worth $104 billion.

We’re taking an ongoing look at all types of creators in this current era, starting with three that are leading the charge in entrepreneurship:

Colin & Samir

My go-to source for cutting edge YouTuber & creator perspectives

These YouTubers are at the forefront of the C2C economy and they know it. With 1.11M subscribers on YouTube and 50k on Twitter, they are a go-to source for a well-versed view into the business of being a creator via their The Publish Press newsletter & podcast.

Taylor Loren

When it comes to IG strategy, Taylor is always one step ahead of the curve

You may know her as “Taylor from Later.” Luckily I stumbled across her IG and found she’s a great resource for up-to-the-minute updates on IG with tips, tricks, templates & courses for creating content whether you’re an “influencer” or just work & create in the space. 

Keke Palmer

As a longtime Keke Palmer fan, I’m living for her meteoric rise

Child star turned emmy winning actress and entertainment mogul, Keke Palmer is a force. In addition to starring in Jordan Peele’s hit bl Nope, she also launched a digital network KeyTV. No stranger to the workings of the internet & the business, the meme queen is uniquely poised to guide “a new generation of creators.”